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How far is too far re helping abused animals?

When does kindness become cruelty?

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Delyse1 NSW • Posts: 17

1 27 Apr 2012

This is about my neighbour's dog. I am a new member. I support as many of the BIG topics re live cattle exports and pigs being kept in cages, all of that, but at the moment I have another worry. I would like to know what you think.

I have reported my neighbour's dogs for months and months now to the RSPCA. The inspector has been out four times to see the owners to give them advice on how to look after their dogs but it hasnt helped. He even gave me his phone number if I observed anything new and I have tried to keep him informed without being a pain in the neck all the time for him because I know they try their best with legislation that is totally hopeless in NSW.

I won't go into the sad details but two of the dogs are now gone and only one remains. It is very skin and bone and is tied up all the time in all weathers. They have a kennel for it but the dog is usually not able to reach it because its chain becomes tangled around things.

I have been giving it food about once a week, just to show it kindness and give it at least something to eat. They come home about once every two, three days and sometimes they feed it and sometimes they don't think of it. The inspector has now moved on in his mind and is not visiting anymore and will not answer my calls, even though I have tried to be very careful not to bother him too much.

This is what I'd like to know. Am I being cruel to the dog if I try and feed it more regularly? It is pitifully grateful when I appear and has now started to look for me and bark. The owner has killed two of the dogs already because they became ill and he couldnt be bothered with them. The inspector told me he was glad they were dead but my point to him was yes, but they suffered so much beforehand! He said oh, well, you ought to see some of the things I come across. My point was lost on him! We suspect now that the owner of the dogs has killed my cat in retaliation. I live in a small town in NSW where everybody knows everybody and they are pointing the finger at me because I go out of my way to feed strays. The inspector maintains he hasnt told them who has reported them but he is now warning me to keep away from the dog for my own safety.

Has anyone been in this situation and if so how did you handle it? I would be very grateful for any opinions.

Thank you
Del

Haaayyyllleeeyyy VIC • Posts: 41

2 27 Apr 2012

Wow. That is just heartbreaking!
Good on you for showing them compassion. Shame on the inspector who lost interest.

That's a really tough situation, because he's warned you away.

But, if you feel strongly enough about it, I would keep pushing. Start a Facebook group, talk to you're local parliament member.

Surely people would be appalled when hearing your story. If you GIVE them a way to help, like raising awareness or saving this dog, who can say no to that?

Call a current affair or something like that. What do you think?

Haaayyyllleeeyyy VIC • Posts: 41

3 27 Apr 2012

And I would continue to feed the dog because no-one deserves to die a slow, painful, starving death.

You just have to think, what would you want someone to do for you if you were that dog.

Christina3 NSW • Posts: 128

4 27 Apr 2012

I think calling A Current Affair is a great idea! I've seen some stories like that on there before..I think. Also, if you make a facebook group I'd definitely join it.

Perhaps you could try getting in touch with a different RSPCA member?

Maybe you could offer to adopt the dog to the owners? They clearly see him as a pain and don't care about him. If YOU are unable adopt him yourself, though, you could try getting in touch with The Brightside Farm Sanctuary. I know that they take in unwanted or sick animals and care for them until they can be adopted (they put up photos of all the dogs up for adoption on their facebook page so there's a greater chance of the dogs getting adopted). Here's the link to their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrightsideFarmSanctuary

Keep us updated if you take any further action!

..1 TAS • Posts: 2265

5 27 Apr 2012

Chances are, the dog is not microchipped... So if the dog were to go missing, there's no microchip to get it back to the owner... wink

In regard to the post above, don't contact Brightside. She has too many dogs, and can't take any more.

+ 5

Christina3 NSW • Posts: 128

6 27 Apr 2012

Maggie said:

In regard to the post above, don't contact Brightside. She has too many dogs, and can't take any more.

..1 TAS • Posts: 2265

7 27 Apr 2012

Christina3 said:

Maggie said:

In regard to the post above, don't contact Brightside. She has too many dogs, and can't take any more.

Sorry I should have elaborated. They're not an organisation like the RSPCA or the Dogs' Home. She's one person, with a small handful of volunteers. She would also have to have a kennel licence, which specifically limits the number of dogs she can have. I had a puppy that I rescued yesterday, and she needed somewhere to go, when I contacted Brightside they were full and couldn't take in any more dogs.

Aimee VIC • Posts: 957

8 28 Apr 2012

Since this sounds like a very urgent situation you should contact everyone you can who will listen. What about Animal Liberation NSW? They might be able to help- it's worth a try! Or police, or rangers?

As for your poor cat, have you reported your situation to the police?

+ 1

Aimee VIC • Posts: 957

9 28 Apr 2012

And also:

Animal Welfare League NSW:
(02 ) 8777 3300
email:

Animal Liberation NSW Anonymous Number (Animal Cruelty in Rural Areas):
1800 751 770

More Information on Animal Liberation NSW: http://animal-lib.org.au/get-active/action-alerts/5-1800-freecall.html

+ 1

Delyse1 NSW • Posts: 17

10 29 Apr 2012

Thanks for the response. It was great. The idea about contacting Current Affair or similar is a good one BUT I have to be very careful here in this small town. There are 200 of us, that's all. We have no police station here and calling the police about anything means a wait of about two to four hours. Not that I wouldnt do it if necessary. The woman from this house has already been to my house abusing me and telling me to mind my own business. Her partner has, I think, killed my cat in retaliation. This town is really strange. It may be typical, I dont know. Never lived in the bush before. My neighbour is a nice lady but when I approached her about the people living directly behind her (I dont - I live to one side of them so have trouble checking the dog), she said oh, no, dont involve me, please, this town is too small. I have found this time and time again. Even the local ranger is a farmer and they seem to look at dogs, by and large, as just useful sometimes but not animals that live and breathe, feel pain and bleed like all of us! The RSPCA is a dead loss, if you want to know my opinion. I shouldnt say that. They do try their best but have to work with NSW cruelty laws. Say no more. Anyway, I have to be careful of my own safety and yet help this dog. I am at the moment stealing into my neighbour's garden when she goes out shopping and dropping food at this lovely sweet dog who looks at me so longingly. I just dont want to get its hopes up and expect food all the time because I cant do it due to neighbour not wanting to cooperate.

I'll keep plodding along. The idea about adopting it is not an option because I have cats and dogs myself and this is a big dog which has been used for pig hunting, another deplorable custom out here. The other thing I've found because I went through this once before when I first came up here in another house is that the moment you have an animal removed, they get another one! There is no sentiment involved with them. Then Im back in the same boat!

Dont worry about the dog. I will keep giving it a teaspoon of love and a can of dog food when I can but as far as the TLC goes, the poor thing will have to struggle along. I do worry about when the freeze comes as it gets down to minus nine here in mid winter and the dog has a very short coat. Oh, dear, it's heart breaking, isnt it. I'm so glad I found this website so I can have a moan! Thank you all. I have taken all your ideas on board.

Wish I could join a local animal group but there arent any here and Im not really one who starts these things myself but am a good loyal follower if anyone wants me. I live about 170ks from Dubbo.

Cheers
Del

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